Sirens flash, alarms sound, and people start running around in a frenzy. The guards march out, formation perfect as always, and start trying to calm the crowd. The screaming continues, and the sound of gunshots ring in the air, leaving everyone in a quiet yet startled daze.
The Army Chief — General Alastor Brunt — made way through the crowd, soldiers behind him. They stood in a line, two abreast, as he made his way to the dais.
“Good afternoon,” his gravelly voice blared through the speakers. “As you may all know due the Black Alert that sounded a few minutes ago, somebody has broken the most important rule of our Code of Conduct. All evidence points towards Colonel Alina Lake, who shall be executed when found.”
I shudder. I knew that the sentence I would have to face would be extreme, but execution had never crossed my mind. Then again, I had broken the one rule the government deemed unbreakable. What was I expecting? That they’d force me to muck the stables? I had seen what they didn’t want anyone to see, and for that, they needed me dead.
“Unfortunately,” he continued, “We are currently unable to find her. Anybody who does is to report to the authorities immediately and shall receive a handsome reward. If somebody knows her whereabouts and refuses to share them, they shall face severe charges.”
I gasped. Now they’ve put a price on my head. Great. And knowing the Chief, it would be enough to last a whole year’s ration, maybe even two. That would get everyone looking.
He finished up with the announcement, ending with, “Colonel Lake was one of our finest, which makes betrayal even more upsetting.” and started walking back, soldiers flanking him on each side.
I look around, making sure that I’m out of sight, and then make a dash for the ruins. With their broken exterior and crumbling roofs, almost no one comes here anymore, scared that they might fall on top of them. I take in some deep breaths, hoping to calm myself.
If someone comes here looking for me, there are chances that they might not recognise me. As soon as I’d come out of the Command Vault, I’d exchanged my military issued uniform for some plain robes. If anyone comes here, they might just think I’m some beggar and leave me be.
Or they’d figure out that you’re the Colonel who had committed treason and hand you over to the authorities, I thought grimly.
A day passes, then two, then three. I haven’t had anything to eat since before the announcement, where I’d managed to steal some bread and cheese. I hadn’t gone out to find some food, knowing that there would be people on the look out for me. Nobody had come to look here yet, and I hoped my luck held.
If you hadn’t made such a reckless decision, I thought, you would be eating a nice hot dinner right now. And sleeping on your own bed.
I fell into a restless slumber, convincing myself that I’d done the right thing.
* * *
I woke up with a start, panicked to find that I wasn’t in the ruins anymore. The last thing I remembered was the crunch of footsteps behind me, the ones I realised too late, not giving me enough time to run. My eyes adjusted to the sudden brightness and I realised that I was sitting in a carriage. All around me, the government’s insignia glinted in the light. My eyes landed on my hands and for the first time I registered the fact that my hands and ankles were shackled.
This is it, I thought. They’re going to kill me. I’m going to be used as an example for anyone else who breaks the rules.
One of the guards threw me into a cell, telling me that I’ll have my hearing in a few days. Some time later, he came back with a tray of cold porridge and some bread, which I scarfed down, too hungry to complain.
A day later, I was being paraded to the Court, hundreds of people crowding on either side of me, waiting to see what would happen to the person who broke the law she once helped uphold.
I’d been provided with a new pair of clothes, but the dust clung to my skin, making me feel as if I were still wearing my old ones.
The courtroom was silent — not the kind that was born of awe or fear, but something heavier. The judge tapped his hand against the podium.
The judge rose and all eyes were on him. “By the laws of our time,” he started, “Colonel Alina Lake is guilty of breaking the most important rule of our Code of Conduct, illegally entering the Command Vault, and above all, tampering with the timeline.”
He paused, and everyone turned to look at me. I tried my best to keep my expression neutral.
“She travelled back to warn our ancestors,” he continued, “Those those four-limbed, near-sighted monsters who made us who we are today. She tried to tell them about the future so that they could stop it from happening”
I tried my best to not flinch. “If they were monsters, then we are no better today. We followed the same roads, just made them look better,” I told him. “We try to convince ourselves that they are the enemies, when in reality, we are just the same. We’ve honed the cruelty they once used, and say that they are to blame.”
Silence descended, and the judge looked at me with interest. “What you say is interesting,” he said. “Continue.”
I couldn’t believe what he’s just said. He’s asked me to tell him more? Before he could change his mind I started talking, hoping that I could convince him that what I had done was for the best.
* * *
“Well, Colonel, you are found guilty for breaking our Code, but perhaps it is the Code itself that needs changing.” Gasps could be heard throughout the hall, but the judge continued. “I shall not authorise your execution Alina Lake, but instead, order you to be heard out by the crowd.”
The crowd erupted with shouts and angry protests,but I breathed a sigh of relief. It may take time, but there is a chance that things might change.
React
